July 18, 2024 • 37 mins
Imagine a small Pentecostal church in East Texas that transformed lives by adopting 77 children from the foster care system. Our special guest, actor Demetrius Grosse, takes us on a journey through this truly inspiring story as portrayed in his latest film, "Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot." Known for his riveting performances in "Straight Outta Compton," "Fear the Walking Dead," and "The Rookie," Demetrius provides an insider’s look into the making of this heartfelt narrative and the real-life efforts of the Bennett Chapel community. This episode promises an emotional and inspiring conversation that you won't want to miss.
We shine a spotlight on the broader issues brought to light by the film, particularly the disparities within the foster care system and the challenges faced by children of color awaiting adoption. Demetrius shares his personal experience of stepping into the shoes of a preacher, overcoming the role's inherent challenges, and the immense satisfaction of portraying such an impactful story. We delve into the film’s success stories of adopted children and the positive, compassionate role played by the church, countering the often negative perceptions associated with religious institutions.
Moreover, we emphasize the critical importance of supporting meaningful projects through financial backing. Learn how your ticket purchase can make a difference in Hollywood’s decision-making process. The episode celebrates the true story of Bishop Martin and the 22 families who made a life-changing decision to adopt 77 children, showcasing the extraordinary power of community and faith. Don’t miss out on Demetrius's updates on his upcoming projects, including his role in the Marvel series "Wonder Man," and the role storytelling plays in driving societal change. Follow Demetrius and subscribe to stay informed on future episodes, where we continue to explore pivotal moments in the lives of remarkable individuals.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
This is not the only game.
When I was coming up we had togo outside the city.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We had to go travel, go out of town, beat down doors
Like this was the first timeBill was ever kind of the same.
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And out of my mouth I said Fyou Fans are asking for a
positive women and you know,with family and business, it's
like you know that's what webring to the show and yet still
it's like, oh, she's boring.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
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This is really who I am.
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I made, I build myself off a dollar and a dream
without a man's help, without abasketball player, or in a dream
without a man's help, without abasketball player.
It's particularly thepatriarchal boxes that white
cisgender males have defined forus should be how we define
ourselves.
That's what they were saying onthe street.
I didn't say it.
That's what they were saying onthe street.
The streets, the avenues andthe boulevard.
(01:00):
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So you know this platform.
We unpack celebrity pivotalmoments and milestones and I'm
always telling you aboutcelebrity conversations,
celebrity nuances, luxurylifestyle experiences.
But today I have none otherthan actor Demetrius Groth.
(02:07):
Now, you've seen him, let's say, straight out of Compton Fear
of the Walking Dead and theRookie.
So he's been all across and onyour television screens and also
on your movie screens, and hehas another amazing film that's
in the theaters now.
Now let me tell you somethingamazing film that's in the
theaters now.
Now let me tell you somethingyou have to convince me to go
(02:28):
spend my hard-earned coins inthese movie theaters.
It's just too much.
Now I got a taste of Ipik.
Ipik changed my life.
The comfortable seating.
You sit back.
I just have the waitress comeand order my food and my
cocktails.
So by the time I leave theI-Pick, I've spent, let's say, a
minimum of $100.
(02:49):
So you have to convince me togo to the theater.
So when we are joined byDemetrius Gross in just a few
short moments, he's going toconvince myself and you why you
should go to the theaters andspend your hard-earned money for
his new film, sound of Hope,the Story of Possum Trot.
I wanted to make sure that Igot that name right.
(03:10):
So the name of the film is Soundof Hope, the Story of Possum
Trot.
Now this looks like it's goingto be a tearjerker for me.
A whole bunch of compassion, awhole bunch of empathy.
I love when I watch something,even when I listen to music get
a reaction out of me, pull someemotion out of me, make me feel
(03:32):
something.
Okay, that's how I know that myhard earned money was well
spent in these high priced movietheaters.
So this film talks about howthis black pastor theaters.
So this film talks about howthis black pastor, this black
minister, how he convinced hiscongregation to adopt 77 of the
most difficult to place kids inthe foster care system.
(03:57):
He wanted them to adopt thesechildren.
Now we know, when it comes toadoption, especially little
black kids, that is a hardnarrative that's been so
difficult to undo and to reverse.
I'm really surprised thatHollywood greenlit this film
because it's not salacious atall.
It's a compelling drama.
(04:19):
It pulls on your heartstrings,from what I can gather from the
trailer.
It pulls on your heartstringsfrom what I can gather from the
trailer.
So he's just going to bring iton home and convince all of us
why we should spend our hardearned money going to the
theater to watch the sound ofhope, the possum trot story, so
he better be very, verycompelling and convincing.
(04:42):
So let's just bring him on intothe studio so that he can tell
you why you should go see hislatest film.
I'm excited, first of all, tonot only see this film, the
Sounds of Hope, the Possum TrotStory, but I need you to
convince me and my audience whywe need to go see the film.
Because I've gotten addicted to.
(05:02):
I pick theaters and that meansI'm spending about a hundred
dollars in the theater, so Iwant to make sure that my
hundred dollars is worth it.
So tell us what is the story ofhope the possum trot story
about?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
a sound of hope.
The story of possum traffic isa true story.
Uh, that is about First LadyDonna Martin and Bishop WC
Martin of Bennett Chapel, whichis a small Pentecostal church in
East Texas in a town calledPossum Drop, where the First
Lady and her husband bandedtogether their community 22
(05:42):
families within their churchcommunity and adopted 77 of the
hardest to place children in thefoster care arena in their town
.
It made national news years ago.
They were featured on OprahWinfrey, on Oprah's show, they
were featured on manyevangelical TV shows, the TVN
(06:06):
network, et cetera.
But the story really detailsthe hope and also some of the
issues surrounding the orphancrisis, but also real, sometimes
(06:31):
gritty, but very enlighteningperspective, and the people of
Bennett Chapel have been sogracious to allow us into their
lives and to allow us to tellthis story in a very authentic
way.
Uh, the film hit theaters july4th and is still in amc theaters
(06:53):
across the country right now.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, I've watched the trailer a few times and I
thought it was already streamingon hbo max.
I thought something was wrongwith my account.
I called all my friends likeplease check HBO Max because I
need to see this movie.
But I was quite surprised,quite surprised, that a movie of
this magnitude, such compassion, such empathy, was greenlit by
(07:18):
Hollywood, because we live in anera of salaciousness.
How do you feel once youreceived this script?
Did you feel as if, wow, thisis something new, or this is a
story that's been told time andtime again?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Well, this is a very new story.
This is a very it's a truestory, so it literally has never
been told before because it isbased off of actual events and
this is a movie that's very muchso worth your price of
admission to the theater.
(07:52):
Cinematically it's beautiful.
The acting and the imagery isamazing.
It received an A-plus cinemascore I think it's like
80-something percent on RottenTomatoes.
Roger Ebert reviewed it verywell.
People are starting to talkabout this film.
(08:13):
People are moved to tears, andnot necessarily tears of sorrow.
There are tears of joy thatpeople have expressed, that
they've experienced in thetheater, having an experience
with this film.
I'm very proud to be a part ofit.
It's the kind of work that Iwant to do more of.
(08:33):
And you're right, hollywood hasa tradition of doing films that
are salacious in violence andjust.
I won't say the wrong kind ofmessaging, but salacious.
And violence and just I won'tsay the wrong kind of messaging,
but messaging that doesn'tnecessarily elevate society.
But this film is different.
It has some of the elements ofyour classic blockbuster in
(08:59):
terms of shots and beautifulnarrative and amazing acting,
but the messaging in the storyis very different and actually
hollywood didn't really greatlike this movie.
Um, it was shot by josh andrebecca weigel.
Uh of peace street productionsand angel studios came aboard to
produce and executive producingand distributing um.
(09:21):
Colin cumberbback was our UPM.
He's done a lot of work with 40Acres and a Mule and we shot
this movie for about 25 days andnow we are here in theaters.
I mean it was a blitz of ashoot, but that was because we
(09:43):
were dealing with a lot oflocations.
We were shooting with lots ofchildren, so there's all kinds
of appropriate protocol thatneeds to take place for that um,
but we got it done and we'rereally proud.
We had a great opening weekend.
Um, and people are talkingabout it.
We really want to get the wordout more so while it's in
(10:04):
theaters, because I think thatthe experience seeing the film
this poignant, this powerful,this meaningful the experience
of seeing it in the theater isvery different than seeing it at
home.
And there's no set date to whenit'll start streaming, but
right now you can go see it atAMC.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Yeah, I already told my daughter, who is 29, that we
definitely have to see this film.
There has to be a balance forme.
I want to walk away learningsomething.
I want to walk away having aconversation about something.
So I'm glad that this film wasmade.
How did you receive the script?
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I got the script through a good friend of mine,
bobby Garabedian, and his wife,elke Garabedian.
We were members of the samechurch New Life Bible Church of
Christ in Culver City and youknow we established a long term
relationship.
I've known them for about 10years and fast forward to 2021.
(11:05):
When I first complimented theproject, they sent me the script
and asked me to audition for itand to start playing it on tape
.
So I started doing improvisedsermons to play the bishop,
auditioning some of the scenes.
It was a long process withproduction with another actor
(11:33):
and I don't think it was workingout.
Eventually, after about a weekor two of shooting, I got the
call that I was going to be apart of the cast and I got to
meet Bishop WC Martin and FirstLady Donna Martin and spend some
time with them in fellowshipand in prayer and in preparation
.
Wow, yeah, that's how thathappened.
(11:55):
It was a process.
So they're still alive.
Yeah, they are.
They're alive and well, full ofvigor.
They're still telling theirstory.
You know, Bishop WC Martin isstill the pastor of Bennett
Chapel, the first lady is anamazing humanitarian and they
have, I think, something like 20grandkids or something like
(12:17):
that.
Wow, and they raise nowgrandchildren.
So they're still telling theirstory to this day.
You can go online and and seethem and get caught up with what
they're up to.
But they are a very lovingcouple, a very, uh, committed
couple, uh, just salt of theearth, people who are the kinds
(12:41):
of christians that we can all um, we can all emulate in terms of
their fearless faith, withsomething that is not easy to do
.
They adopted themselves, Ithink, something like six or
seven children, and then theircommunity of 22 families adopted
77.
And their legacy is one thatwe're proud to tell and bring to
(13:02):
the screen.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Yeah, that's kind of rare Cause when we see these
true stories on the big screen.
Oftentimes the actors don't getan opportunity to talk to the
actual people.
So how did the reverend or thebishop and his wife help you
prepare for the role?
I think they prepared me forthe walk.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
You know to walk the walk of this calling right Like
there's a.
When you are out in front of acongregation or a community of
believers, there is a.
There's a mantle that you'recarrying.
(13:44):
They also prepared us bypraying for us and pointing us
to scripture, which is fanned onduring the process.
I got to take my family toPossum Truck, the area in East
Texas where the story takesplace, and get to know some of
(14:05):
the children that they raised tolearn some of the personal
stories, and I think it was justbeing able to laugh with them,
being able to learn directlyfrom them.
You know where they hadconfidence in this process and
(14:25):
also where their challenges wereand how they overcame it.
So I think those personalstories really, really help you
view authenticity.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
It seems very, very authentic just by the trailer
alone and what it reminded me of.
There's so many themes and somany messages that the audience
should take away, but itreminded me that this is an
issue that I can't turn awayfrom, that this is something
that I have to remember, that Ican't turn away from that.
This is something that I haveto remember Because the story of
adoption, children in fostercare we don't often think about
(15:01):
those things and when I saw thetrailer, I honestly had a
visceral reaction and it made meremember that there are still
children in foster care who areoverlooked, especially when it
comes to the black population ofblack kids in foster care.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Once you complete it.
It's alleged that we onlyrepresent 13 of the population.
Well, you know, there are400,000 children currently in
the foster care system andthere's over 100,000 that are
still waiting to be adopted, anda vast majority of those
children are children of color.
So those numbers are justdisproportionate completely and
(15:42):
they're abysmal and deeplysaddening.
But it's stories like thesethat can help provocate change
and stir people's hearts to, ifthey can't adopt to volunteer,
if they can't volunteer to bephilanthropic, if they can adopt
to volunteer, if they can'tvolunteer, be philanthropic.
If they can't be philanthropic,they can encourage others who
(16:05):
they know who are looking tohave a family, to maybe take on
this responsibility.
It also encourages us to looknot to what we don't have to do,
what we can do, but to own andto champion what we do have to
(16:27):
do, what is what may beunpopular or may seem not easy.
This was a rural churchcommunity.
They weren't exorbitantlywealthy, they had humble means,
but they banded together theircommunity and galvanized their
(16:49):
faith to do this.
It's an example and the film isnever really preachy, though
that's the thing the film is.
It runs like a narrative, likea story, and you're with it
moment to moment.
You know the times that I'veseen the screen, the audiences
are locked in, people aren'tgetting up and going to the
restaurant or, you know, noteven coughing or sneezing.
(17:11):
People are all the way.
So it's a very.
The time I saw it last week, youknow, people started clapping
in the theater.
They were watching a stage play.
So it's an experience that youwant to have in the theater so
(17:32):
good, it's so good, it's sorefreshing.
It's the kind of film that youcan see with your daughter, you
can see with your son, you cansee with a friend.
It's PG-13, which is great.
There's no risk to it.
It's violent, although we don'tshy away from some of the ills
(17:52):
and the traumas that thechildren experience Some of the
psychological trauma, some ofthe ills and the traumas that
the children experience, some ofthe psychological trauma and
some of the environmental traumathat's involved in this orifice
crisis and this foster caresystem.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
I'm glad I have two pressing questions, but I'm
trying to see which one I wantto ask first, because you did
mention what the audience willleave with and what resonated
with them and the reaction thatyou saw the audience have as
they were watching the film.
What teachable moments or whatresonated with you as an actor
you know speaking the lines,because I don't want you to just
(18:27):
be a salesman and just tryingto tell us to watch the film
what resonated with you?
Speaker 2 (18:33):
I think what resonated with me was believing
that what I have to bring to thecollective is enough for them
where my weakness is or where IRock.
(19:01):
You know, I was veryintimidated originally at doing
some of these sermons.
Certainly, we only I think inthe film we only see like two
sermons, but I think they werelike three, three, 5, because
there was another sermon that wedid out in front of the trucks.
When we find Terry, played byDeanna Bobnikova, she's the girl
(19:26):
that we focus the story, wefocus a lot of the story around.
So there was a lot of sermonsthat.
You know, I've never been apreacher before, but I've been
to some church so I've alwayslooked at Pastors and preachers
(19:49):
as, like you know.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Over there.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Like I don't want to play around with it, but what I
got from the bishop himself wasjust to trust God to show up to
do the work that faith withoutworks is dead, you know to just
operate from a space ofconfidence in him, confidence in
God and confidence in theability that he's given me,
(20:19):
confidence in my gift, and thatdirectly translates thematically
to what they did to adopt thesechildren and to, even with
limited resources, to have thesewonderful outcomes.
One of the kids is Josh.
Martin has now has a companycalled World we Run.
(20:43):
He's an entrepreneur.
Terry is now a manager of threeretail stores and Mercedes is a
.
These are just children who wehighlight in the film, who in
real life have gone on to doamazing things.
Mercedes is an office manager.
(21:06):
They all did so well and aredoing so well.
So I think it for me.
It inspired me that when I havemy gift, my work ethic, my
process is enough and when Imarry that to faith, when I
marry that to prayer and goodenergy and positive thinking
(21:29):
that it's possible and anythingis possible, that's what I get
from it personally.
Because I wasn was intimidatedat first playing a Pentecostal
Baptist preacher With no comment.
I had to really dive in andplay it from a real place of of
(21:50):
admonition and respect andappreciation, and so it was a
powerful process.
I think I grew as an artist.
I grew in an understanding ofwhat the power is, of what we do
in film, journalism, media.
(22:12):
I learned a lot.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Yeah, I think this film really has the capacity to
get people to think, toreimagine what the adoption
process, the foster care system,looks like and what it can
become.
So I'm glad that you mentionedthe success stories of the
children who were adoptedthrough the foster care system,
(22:36):
because, you know, when we talkabout adoption and kids who
aren't ours, we always oftenthink about oh no, that's just a
headache, that's a problem,that's not my child, I don't
know what type of baggage I'mgoing to receive.
So I'm glad that you spokeabout the success of the
adoption system and I'm alsoglad another thing that this
film does is usually, when wetalk about the church, it's
(22:58):
always in a negative light.
We talk about the molestationsthat's happening in church.
I'm glad that this film isshowing something, like I said,
compassionate about the church,the great thing that this pastor
or the bishop and his wife hasdone with his congregation.
So I'm glad that this filmshowcases that.
(23:18):
So you said it's in theatersnow, and when is it?
In the Eve Theater, so that wecan make sure that we're going
to watch it?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Well, it's going to be in theaters as long as
there's interest.
We had a great opening weekendlast weekend.
I think it grossed somethinglike six or seven million and
it's in over 2,200 theatersnationwide.
In AMCs and in Regencies Ithink you can Google Showtimes
(23:48):
for Sound of Hope, the story ofPossum Trot, but it's in over
2,000 theaters nationwide.
It'll most likely I can't sayhow long it'll be in theaters, I
don't think we know that yet.
But I'm sure as long as there'sstrong interest and people are
going to the theater to see it,it'll save it.
We are in the summer, so it's abig time for movies, you know,
(24:12):
because it's hot most places inthe country.
And you know people like to goin and cool out with their boo
thing and check out a good movie.
But this is as much of a boothing movie as it is a
family-friendly movie.
But at the end of the day thereare some really poignant
messages that come across in thefilm and it's a wake-up call to
(24:32):
believers, and not even just tobelievers.
I think this movie plays reallywell to secular audiences
because it's just a well-toldstory and a beautiful film to
watch.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Yeah, it's a definite human interest story.
No matter what your backgroundis and where you come from, it's
always good to know that youcan adopt, you can help some
child who's in a forced-to-caresystem.
I think that we have aresponsibility to give back in
some capacity.
So I'm glad I'm really, reallyglad that a movie of this
magnitude was made and I'mdefinitely going to be watching
(25:06):
it.
Another question I have for youis the title of this film is
called the Sound of Hope.
What does the Sound of Hopesound like or look like for you?
Speaker 2 (25:19):
That's a great question, Sonia.
I think the Sound of Hope and Ithought about this For me the
Sound of Hope was actually, itwas silence there's.
I don't want to spoil the ending, but there's a moment in the
end of the film I think it's thelast scene of the movie where
(25:41):
you feel the hope in Bishop WCMartin and you see it but you
don't actually hear it.
And it was a moment where Irealized almost like that still
(26:04):
small voice, like scripturetalks about the still small
voice of God, and it's a littleoxymoronic, it's a little
paradoxical, but to me it's thatsilent peace where you can
almost hear the silence, butit's peaceful and it's and one
is inspired to do something, orthat they, they, they've done a
(26:29):
job well done.
Those feelings after you, afteryou've worked hard at something
, after you laid worked hard atsomething, after you've laid it
all out on the line oftentimesthere's not a lot of words,
there's just that quiet sense ofaccomplishment and of purpose.
(26:49):
And so we see Bishop Martin inthe last scene.
There's no dialogue, it's verybrief, but that to me, that
still small voice, that silenceof a accomplishment and being
(27:10):
purposeful, and doing the rightthing.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
That is the sound of hope yes, everything I've
gathered from what you've said.
Once again, it confirms thatwhen I go watch this movie, and
when everyone goes to watch thisfilm, they're going to feel
something, they're going to walkaway with something on their
minds that needs to be unpackedvia a conversation or via
(27:38):
through their action.
That's what we need in thisculture.
We need something that's goingto motivate us, we need
something that's going toreshape our narratives,
something that's going to add toour excellence.
And I'm telling you, based onthis trailer, this film is it,
and I'll definitely be watching.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Well, thank you so much for spending time with me
today and asking you on the show.
I hope people get to see it.
I hope the story is possible.
I hope people are changed andreally enjoy watching those
amazing stories.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Yes, so we see your name, demetrius Gross but is
that your Instagram handle aswell?
And your screen flipped to theside.
So, uh-oh, what happened?
I'm telling you until we getDemetrius back.
(28:36):
You all have to definitelywatch this film.
I'm compelled to go to thetheaters and pay my money and
watch this film because, like Isaid, I'm just a woman of a
particular age and I'm lookingfor nourishment for my soul.
I'm looking to haveconversations with my colleagues
and with my peers and with myfriends and with my associates
(28:56):
about high stakes opportunities,high stakes conversations.
And based upon the trailer,I've only watched the trailer
about 50, 11 times, mind you,because I was like I want more.
The trailer alone.
It spoke volumes to me.
It addressed a problem or anissue.
(29:16):
I wouldn't call it a problem.
It addressed an issue that Idon't think is landing too well,
because when we talk about thefoster care system, when we talk
about the foster care system,when we talk about adopting
black kids, it's always I don'tknow what that child is going to
bring into my home and I'm alittle bit fearful, and that's
(29:37):
warranted.
That's okay for you to feelthat way, but when it comes to
us, don't we deserve the risk.
Let me tell you something that Ilearned in doing this research.
Where's my notes?
I learned that in the UnitedStates of this, here America
Black children comprise 23% ofall children in foster care in
(30:01):
2019, and also 22% of allchildren waiting for adoption at
the end of 2019.
That data right there justconfirmed to me that there are
so many black children in fostercare.
Who deserves your attention.
So I want you to look at thedata of foster care children,
(30:23):
children being adopted.
Watch this film so that you canunderstand that this is a real
thing.
This is a real issue and itreally is going to take a
collective responsibility,collective action, for us to
address this.
So, demetrius, I'm glad thatyou're back.
Can you hear me?
You're a little pixelated now.
Oh, wow, okay, there you go.
(30:46):
So, before you, all of thishappens, I, you know your name
is Demetrius Gross, but what'syour Instagram handle, just in
case people want to follow you?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
It's exactly the same as at Demetrius Gross.
I don't have any cool, uh, likeyou know, street names, good,
(31:18):
good.
So what else can we expect fromyou, because you're an amazing
actor and before you joined us,I was just telling my audience
some of your acting credits.
But what is next for DemetriusGross?
I'm in Wonder man that's goingto be co-starring Yahya
Abdul-Mateen and Ben Kingsley,Ed Harris, bob Odenkirk, lauren
Razor, Josh Gad some of the castthat are involved in that
(31:41):
project.
It's directed by Daniel DestinCreighton and written by Andrew
Guest, and we are going to be onDisney Plus's or Marvel's
activation of Spotlight throughDisney Plus next year.
(32:02):
So I'll be playing EricWilliams.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Aka, yeah, eric Williams wow, so you said Wonder
man, wonder man.
Right, I never knew.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Wonder Woman.
Yes, apparently Wonder man isfrom like the 70s.
It was from the original IP andit was, I think, before Wonder
Woman.
But Wonder Woman, of course, iswhat we all know.
But there's a Wonder man thatMolly is very excited about,
we're all very excited about,we're all very excited about
brainy.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
I never knew.
Never knew that there was asuch thing as wonder man,
because as a kid you could nottell me that I was a wonder
woman, to know that there wassomething before.
That you know.
Just something for the men.
I'm here for it, so I'lldefinitely be tuned into your
page just to see when wonder manlaunches and all of the amazing
(32:53):
projects that you will continueto bless I'll keep your ears
peeled because I got some musiccoming up.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
I've been over the years, I've been rolling with
some musicians and I've beenmaking some, some records.
So, uh, I'll be having a singlecoming out soon called To the
Glory, and it's going to be good.
People who are hearing some ofthe early tracks are really
giving me positive feedback, soI'm excited to share that too.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
So the name of the song is called To the Glory.
Is that a gospel song?
Speaker 2 (33:27):
It's infused with spirituality consciousness.
It's infused with spiritualityConsciousness.
I don't know if I can call itgospel, but there is ministry in
the song.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
I love it and we need that too, because, like I said,
with the salaciousness in everysingle genre, I just want to
get back to Feel good music,music that's thought provoking,
music that I can now tell mydaughter and her friends.
I need you to tune into thisbecause it's something different
than what's being offered toyou.
So you know, continue blessings, demetrius, continue being
(34:03):
excellent, continue giving usgreat examples of what we can
become and what we shouldsurround ourselves with, and the
type of conversations that weshould be having.
Thank you so much for blessingSonia on air.
Once again, thank you forhaving me, sonia, you as well.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Continue to be the vanguard in journalism that you
are.
Your podcast is amazing.
Continue, sister.
We see you and we appreciateyou.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
We appreciate your work.
Thank you, take care, I'll talkto you soon, bye, bye.
So there you have it.
Demetrius Gross, please gowatch this film, this movie,
because, like I said, there'sjust too much salaciousness
(34:50):
going out there.
You have no idea theconversations that I have on a
daily basis about thelow-hanging fruit that is
presented to us.
I want more, I want more.
I like crab lids, I like thingsthat have substance, things
(35:14):
that have substance, but what weare continuing to be fed, it's
not filling us up, it's notfilling us up at all.
So make sure that you head toamc theaters because, like
demetrius said, as long as wecontinue to flood the movie
theaters, that is how long thiswill stay in theaters before it
goes to streaming.
Yeah, you know, I want to seeit on streaming too, without
paying for the service.
(35:35):
But when there are projectsthat I firmly, firmly believe in
, and I know that anotherproject won't get made unless we
support, I'll invest, I'llspend my money, because you know
, at the end of the day, guesswhat trumps everything?
According to Hollywood,according to the music industry,
(35:56):
it's the money, it's the dinero, it's the dollar, dollar bill,
y'all.
So we have to make sure thatour presence is felt,
unfortunately, by the dollarsigns, the number of tickets
that we purchase.
So make sure you go to theatersto see the sound of hope, the
story of possum, trust and, likeI told demetrius, I'm so glad
(36:18):
that we're not talking about,you know, a pastor, a bishop, a
minister who is molestingchildren, raping children, just
doing inappropriate things.
I'm glad to see that a blackbishop a black bishop, true
story has asked 22 families inhis congregation in texas to
(36:43):
adopt 77 hard to place kids infoster care.
And guess what?
His mission was accomplished.
So there is nothing.
There is absolutely nothingthat we can't do when we band
together.
So make sure you followDemetrius and make sure you also
(37:06):
go check out his phone and yousee subscribe, subscribe,
subscribe.
And make sure that you go checkout this film and you see
subscribe, subscribe, subscribe.
And make sure that you staytuned in for another amazing
edition of Sonya on Air, where Iunpack celebrity pivotal
moments and milestones Smooches.
This is not the only game.
When I was coming up we had togo outside the city.
Speaker 2 (00:11):
We had to go travel, go out of town, beat down doors
Like this was the first timeBill was ever kind of the same.
Speaker 1 (00:18):
And he said here comes the token.
And out of my mouth I said Fyou Fans are asking for a
positive women and you know,with family and business, it's
like you know that's what webring to the show and yet still
it's like, oh, she's boring.
Speaker 2 (00:35):
It's my real story.
This is really who I am.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
I made, I build myself off a dollar and a dream
without a man's help, without abasketball player, or in a dream
without a man's help, without abasketball player.
It's particularly thepatriarchal boxes that white
cisgender males have defined forus should be how we define
ourselves.
That's what they were saying onthe street.
I didn't say it.
That's what they were saying onthe street.
The streets, the avenues andthe boulevard.
(01:00):
Don't you just love a goodtheme song?
I know I do.
Welcome back, you are now tunedinto another amazing edition of
Sonya On Air.
I'm your host, sonyaHudson-Payne, and before we get
to anything else, I just needyou to do me a favor.
That costs $3.99.
(01:21):
$3.99.
Do me a favor Make sure thatyou subscribe.
Sonya On Air streams acrossevery major streaming platform.
If you're watching this onYouTube, not only subscribe, but
make sure you hit thenotification bell.
That way, every time I uploadan all new celebrity interview,
guess who'll be the first onesto know?
Did you guess You'll be thefirst ones to know?
(01:44):
So make sure you subscribe andmake sure that you hit the
notification bell as well.
So you know this platform.
We unpack celebrity pivotalmoments and milestones and I'm
always telling you aboutcelebrity conversations,
celebrity nuances, luxurylifestyle experiences.
But today I have none otherthan actor Demetrius Groth.
(02:07):
Now, you've seen him, let's say, straight out of Compton Fear
of the Walking Dead and theRookie.
So he's been all across and onyour television screens and also
on your movie screens, and hehas another amazing film that's
in the theaters now.
Now let me tell you somethingamazing film that's in the
theaters now.
Now let me tell you somethingyou have to convince me to go
(02:28):
spend my hard-earned coins inthese movie theaters.
It's just too much.
Now I got a taste of Ipik.
Ipik changed my life.
The comfortable seating.
You sit back.
I just have the waitress comeand order my food and my
cocktails.
So by the time I leave theI-Pick, I've spent, let's say, a
minimum of $100.
(02:49):
So you have to convince me togo to the theater.
So when we are joined byDemetrius Gross in just a few
short moments, he's going toconvince myself and you why you
should go to the theaters andspend your hard-earned money for
his new film, sound of Hope,the Story of Possum Trot.
I wanted to make sure that Igot that name right.
(03:10):
So the name of the film is Soundof Hope, the Story of Possum
Trot.
Now this looks like it's goingto be a tearjerker for me.
A whole bunch of compassion, awhole bunch of empathy.
I love when I watch something,even when I listen to music get
a reaction out of me, pull someemotion out of me, make me feel
(03:32):
something.
Okay, that's how I know that myhard earned money was well
spent in these high priced movietheaters.
So this film talks about howthis black pastor theaters.
So this film talks about howthis black pastor, this black
minister, how he convinced hiscongregation to adopt 77 of the
most difficult to place kids inthe foster care system.
(03:57):
He wanted them to adopt thesechildren.
Now we know, when it comes toadoption, especially little
black kids, that is a hardnarrative that's been so
difficult to undo and to reverse.
I'm really surprised thatHollywood greenlit this film
because it's not salacious atall.
It's a compelling drama.
(04:19):
It pulls on your heartstrings,from what I can gather from the
trailer.
It pulls on your heartstringsfrom what I can gather from the
trailer.
So he's just going to bring iton home and convince all of us
why we should spend our hardearned money going to the
theater to watch the sound ofhope, the possum trot story, so
he better be very, verycompelling and convincing.
(04:42):
So let's just bring him on intothe studio so that he can tell
you why you should go see hislatest film.
I'm excited, first of all, tonot only see this film, the
Sounds of Hope, the Possum TrotStory, but I need you to
convince me and my audience whywe need to go see the film.
Because I've gotten addicted to.
(05:02):
I pick theaters and that meansI'm spending about a hundred
dollars in the theater, so Iwant to make sure that my
hundred dollars is worth it.
So tell us what is the story ofhope the possum trot story
about?
Speaker 2 (05:17):
a sound of hope.
The story of possum traffic isa true story.
Uh, that is about First LadyDonna Martin and Bishop WC
Martin of Bennett Chapel, whichis a small Pentecostal church in
East Texas in a town calledPossum Drop, where the First
Lady and her husband bandedtogether their community 22
(05:42):
families within their churchcommunity and adopted 77 of the
hardest to place children in thefoster care arena in their town
.
It made national news years ago.
They were featured on OprahWinfrey, on Oprah's show, they
were featured on manyevangelical TV shows, the TVN
(06:06):
network, et cetera.
But the story really detailsthe hope and also some of the
issues surrounding the orphancrisis, but also real, sometimes
(06:31):
gritty, but very enlighteningperspective, and the people of
Bennett Chapel have been sogracious to allow us into their
lives and to allow us to tellthis story in a very authentic
way.
Uh, the film hit theaters july4th and is still in amc theaters
(06:53):
across the country right now.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
Yeah, I've watched the trailer a few times and I
thought it was already streamingon hbo max.
I thought something was wrongwith my account.
I called all my friends likeplease check HBO Max because I
need to see this movie.
But I was quite surprised,quite surprised, that a movie of
this magnitude, such compassion, such empathy, was greenlit by
(07:18):
Hollywood, because we live in anera of salaciousness.
How do you feel once youreceived this script?
Did you feel as if, wow, thisis something new, or this is a
story that's been told time andtime again?
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Well, this is a very new story.
This is a very it's a truestory, so it literally has never
been told before because it isbased off of actual events and
this is a movie that's very muchso worth your price of
admission to the theater.
(07:52):
Cinematically it's beautiful.
The acting and the imagery isamazing.
It received an A-plus cinemascore I think it's like
80-something percent on RottenTomatoes.
Roger Ebert reviewed it verywell.
People are starting to talkabout this film.
(08:13):
People are moved to tears, andnot necessarily tears of sorrow.
There are tears of joy thatpeople have expressed, that
they've experienced in thetheater, having an experience
with this film.
I'm very proud to be a part ofit.
It's the kind of work that Iwant to do more of.
(08:33):
And you're right, hollywood hasa tradition of doing films that
are salacious in violence andjust.
I won't say the wrong kind ofmessaging, but salacious.
And violence and just I won'tsay the wrong kind of messaging,
but messaging that doesn'tnecessarily elevate society.
But this film is different.
It has some of the elements ofyour classic blockbuster in
(08:59):
terms of shots and beautifulnarrative and amazing acting,
but the messaging in the storyis very different and actually
hollywood didn't really greatlike this movie.
Um, it was shot by josh andrebecca weigel.
Uh of peace street productionsand angel studios came aboard to
produce and executive producingand distributing um.
(09:21):
Colin cumberbback was our UPM.
He's done a lot of work with 40Acres and a Mule and we shot
this movie for about 25 days andnow we are here in theaters.
I mean it was a blitz of ashoot, but that was because we
(09:43):
were dealing with a lot oflocations.
We were shooting with lots ofchildren, so there's all kinds
of appropriate protocol thatneeds to take place for that um,
but we got it done and we'rereally proud.
We had a great opening weekend.
Um, and people are talkingabout it.
We really want to get the wordout more so while it's in
(10:04):
theaters, because I think thatthe experience seeing the film
this poignant, this powerful,this meaningful the experience
of seeing it in the theater isvery different than seeing it at
home.
And there's no set date to whenit'll start streaming, but
right now you can go see it atAMC.
Speaker 1 (10:21):
Yeah, I already told my daughter, who is 29, that we
definitely have to see this film.
There has to be a balance forme.
I want to walk away learningsomething.
I want to walk away having aconversation about something.
So I'm glad that this film wasmade.
How did you receive the script?
Speaker 2 (10:40):
I got the script through a good friend of mine,
bobby Garabedian, and his wife,elke Garabedian.
We were members of the samechurch New Life Bible Church of
Christ in Culver City and youknow we established a long term
relationship.
I've known them for about 10years and fast forward to 2021.
(11:05):
When I first complimented theproject, they sent me the script
and asked me to audition for itand to start playing it on tape
.
So I started doing improvisedsermons to play the bishop,
auditioning some of the scenes.
It was a long process withproduction with another actor
(11:33):
and I don't think it was workingout.
Eventually, after about a weekor two of shooting, I got the
call that I was going to be apart of the cast and I got to
meet Bishop WC Martin and FirstLady Donna Martin and spend some
time with them in fellowshipand in prayer and in preparation
.
Wow, yeah, that's how thathappened.
(11:55):
It was a process.
So they're still alive.
Yeah, they are.
They're alive and well, full ofvigor.
They're still telling theirstory.
You know, Bishop WC Martin isstill the pastor of Bennett
Chapel, the first lady is anamazing humanitarian and they
have, I think, something like 20grandkids or something like
(12:17):
that.
Wow, and they raise nowgrandchildren.
So they're still telling theirstory to this day.
You can go online and and seethem and get caught up with what
they're up to.
But they are a very lovingcouple, a very, uh, committed
couple, uh, just salt of theearth, people who are the kinds
(12:41):
of christians that we can all um, we can all emulate in terms of
their fearless faith, withsomething that is not easy to do
.
They adopted themselves, Ithink, something like six or
seven children, and then theircommunity of 22 families adopted
77.
And their legacy is one thatwe're proud to tell and bring to
(13:02):
the screen.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
Yeah, that's kind of rare Cause when we see these
true stories on the big screen.
Oftentimes the actors don't getan opportunity to talk to the
actual people.
So how did the reverend or thebishop and his wife help you
prepare for the role?
I think they prepared me forthe walk.
Speaker 2 (13:22):
You know to walk the walk of this calling right Like
there's a.
When you are out in front of acongregation or a community of
believers, there is a.
There's a mantle that you'recarrying.
(13:44):
They also prepared us bypraying for us and pointing us
to scripture, which is fanned onduring the process.
I got to take my family toPossum Truck, the area in East
Texas where the story takesplace, and get to know some of
(14:05):
the children that they raised tolearn some of the personal
stories, and I think it was justbeing able to laugh with them,
being able to learn directlyfrom them.
You know where they hadconfidence in this process and
(14:25):
also where their challenges wereand how they overcame it.
So I think those personalstories really, really help you
view authenticity.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (14:38):
It seems very, very authentic just by the trailer
alone and what it reminded me of.
There's so many themes and somany messages that the audience
should take away, but itreminded me that this is an
issue that I can't turn awayfrom, that this is something
that I have to remember, that Ican't turn away from that.
This is something that I haveto remember Because the story of
adoption, children in fostercare we don't often think about
(15:01):
those things and when I saw thetrailer, I honestly had a
visceral reaction and it made meremember that there are still
children in foster care who areoverlooked, especially when it
comes to the black population ofblack kids in foster care.
Speaker 2 (15:20):
Once you complete it.
It's alleged that we onlyrepresent 13 of the population.
Well, you know, there are400,000 children currently in
the foster care system andthere's over 100,000 that are
still waiting to be adopted, anda vast majority of those
children are children of color.
So those numbers are justdisproportionate completely and
(15:42):
they're abysmal and deeplysaddening.
But it's stories like thesethat can help provocate change
and stir people's hearts to, ifthey can't adopt to volunteer,
if they can't volunteer to bephilanthropic, if they can adopt
to volunteer, if they can'tvolunteer, be philanthropic.
If they can't be philanthropic,they can encourage others who
(16:05):
they know who are looking tohave a family, to maybe take on
this responsibility.
It also encourages us to looknot to what we don't have to do,
what we can do, but to own andto champion what we do have to
(16:27):
do, what is what may beunpopular or may seem not easy.
This was a rural churchcommunity.
They weren't exorbitantlywealthy, they had humble means,
but they banded together theircommunity and galvanized their
(16:49):
faith to do this.
It's an example and the film isnever really preachy, though
that's the thing the film is.
It runs like a narrative, likea story, and you're with it
moment to moment.
You know the times that I'veseen the screen, the audiences
are locked in, people aren'tgetting up and going to the
restaurant or, you know, noteven coughing or sneezing.
(17:11):
People are all the way.
So it's a very.
The time I saw it last week, youknow, people started clapping
in the theater.
They were watching a stage play.
So it's an experience that youwant to have in the theater so
(17:32):
good, it's so good, it's sorefreshing.
It's the kind of film that youcan see with your daughter, you
can see with your son, you cansee with a friend.
It's PG-13, which is great.
There's no risk to it.
It's violent, although we don'tshy away from some of the ills
(17:52):
and the traumas that thechildren experience Some of the
psychological trauma, some ofthe ills and the traumas that
the children experience, some ofthe psychological trauma and
some of the environmental traumathat's involved in this orifice
crisis and this foster caresystem.
Speaker 1 (18:04):
I'm glad I have two pressing questions, but I'm
trying to see which one I wantto ask first, because you did
mention what the audience willleave with and what resonated
with them and the reaction thatyou saw the audience have as
they were watching the film.
What teachable moments or whatresonated with you as an actor
you know speaking the lines,because I don't want you to just
(18:27):
be a salesman and just tryingto tell us to watch the film
what resonated with you?
Speaker 2 (18:33):
I think what resonated with me was believing
that what I have to bring to thecollective is enough for them
where my weakness is or where IRock.
(19:01):
You know, I was veryintimidated originally at doing
some of these sermons.
Certainly, we only I think inthe film we only see like two
sermons, but I think they werelike three, three, 5, because
there was another sermon that wedid out in front of the trucks.
When we find Terry, played byDeanna Bobnikova, she's the girl
(19:26):
that we focus the story, wefocus a lot of the story around.
So there was a lot of sermonsthat.
You know, I've never been apreacher before, but I've been
to some church so I've alwayslooked at Pastors and preachers
(19:49):
as, like you know.
Speaker 1 (19:53):
Over there.
Speaker 2 (19:56):
Like I don't want to play around with it, but what I
got from the bishop himself wasjust to trust God to show up to
do the work that faith withoutworks is dead, you know to just
operate from a space ofconfidence in him, confidence in
God and confidence in theability that he's given me,
(20:19):
confidence in my gift, and thatdirectly translates thematically
to what they did to adopt thesechildren and to, even with
limited resources, to have thesewonderful outcomes.
One of the kids is Josh.
Martin has now has a companycalled World we Run.
(20:43):
He's an entrepreneur.
Terry is now a manager of threeretail stores and Mercedes is a
.
These are just children who wehighlight in the film, who in
real life have gone on to doamazing things.
Mercedes is an office manager.
(21:06):
They all did so well and aredoing so well.
So I think it for me.
It inspired me that when I havemy gift, my work ethic, my
process is enough and when Imarry that to faith, when I
marry that to prayer and goodenergy and positive thinking
(21:29):
that it's possible and anythingis possible, that's what I get
from it personally.
Because I wasn was intimidatedat first playing a Pentecostal
Baptist preacher With no comment.
I had to really dive in andplay it from a real place of of
(21:50):
admonition and respect andappreciation, and so it was a
powerful process.
I think I grew as an artist.
I grew in an understanding ofwhat the power is, of what we do
in film, journalism, media.
(22:12):
I learned a lot.
Speaker 1 (22:15):
Yeah, I think this film really has the capacity to
get people to think, toreimagine what the adoption
process, the foster care system,looks like and what it can
become.
So I'm glad that you mentionedthe success stories of the
children who were adoptedthrough the foster care system,
(22:36):
because, you know, when we talkabout adoption and kids who
aren't ours, we always oftenthink about oh no, that's just a
headache, that's a problem,that's not my child, I don't
know what type of baggage I'mgoing to receive.
So I'm glad that you spokeabout the success of the
adoption system and I'm alsoglad another thing that this
film does is usually, when wetalk about the church, it's
(22:58):
always in a negative light.
We talk about the molestationsthat's happening in church.
I'm glad that this film isshowing something, like I said,
compassionate about the church,the great thing that this pastor
or the bishop and his wife hasdone with his congregation.
So I'm glad that this filmshowcases that.
(23:18):
So you said it's in theatersnow, and when is it?
In the Eve Theater, so that wecan make sure that we're going
to watch it?
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Well, it's going to be in theaters as long as
there's interest.
We had a great opening weekendlast weekend.
I think it grossed somethinglike six or seven million and
it's in over 2,200 theatersnationwide.
In AMCs and in Regencies Ithink you can Google Showtimes
(23:48):
for Sound of Hope, the story ofPossum Trot, but it's in over
2,000 theaters nationwide.
It'll most likely I can't sayhow long it'll be in theaters, I
don't think we know that yet.
But I'm sure as long as there'sstrong interest and people are
going to the theater to see it,it'll save it.
We are in the summer, so it's abig time for movies, you know,
(24:12):
because it's hot most places inthe country.
And you know people like to goin and cool out with their boo
thing and check out a good movie.
But this is as much of a boothing movie as it is a
family-friendly movie.
But at the end of the day thereare some really poignant
messages that come across in thefilm and it's a wake-up call to
(24:32):
believers, and not even just tobelievers.
I think this movie plays reallywell to secular audiences
because it's just a well-toldstory and a beautiful film to
watch.
Speaker 1 (24:45):
Yeah, it's a definite human interest story.
No matter what your backgroundis and where you come from, it's
always good to know that youcan adopt, you can help some
child who's in a forced-to-caresystem.
I think that we have aresponsibility to give back in
some capacity.
So I'm glad I'm really, reallyglad that a movie of this
magnitude was made and I'mdefinitely going to be watching
(25:06):
it.
Another question I have for youis the title of this film is
called the Sound of Hope.
What does the Sound of Hopesound like or look like for you?
Speaker 2 (25:19):
That's a great question, Sonia.
I think the Sound of Hope and Ithought about this For me the
Sound of Hope was actually, itwas silence there's.
I don't want to spoil the ending, but there's a moment in the
end of the film I think it's thelast scene of the movie where
(25:41):
you feel the hope in Bishop WCMartin and you see it but you
don't actually hear it.
And it was a moment where Irealized almost like that still
(26:04):
small voice, like scripturetalks about the still small
voice of God, and it's a littleoxymoronic, it's a little
paradoxical, but to me it's thatsilent peace where you can
almost hear the silence, butit's peaceful and it's and one
is inspired to do something, orthat they, they, they've done a
(26:29):
job well done.
Those feelings after you, afteryou've worked hard at something
, after you laid worked hard atsomething, after you've laid it
all out on the line oftentimesthere's not a lot of words,
there's just that quiet sense ofaccomplishment and of purpose.
(26:49):
And so we see Bishop Martin inthe last scene.
There's no dialogue, it's verybrief, but that to me, that
still small voice, that silenceof a accomplishment and being
(27:10):
purposeful, and doing the rightthing.
Speaker 1 (27:14):
That is the sound of hope yes, everything I've
gathered from what you've said.
Once again, it confirms thatwhen I go watch this movie, and
when everyone goes to watch thisfilm, they're going to feel
something, they're going to walkaway with something on their
minds that needs to be unpackedvia a conversation or via
(27:38):
through their action.
That's what we need in thisculture.
We need something that's goingto motivate us, we need
something that's going toreshape our narratives,
something that's going to add toour excellence.
And I'm telling you, based onthis trailer, this film is it,
and I'll definitely be watching.
Speaker 2 (27:56):
Well, thank you so much for spending time with me
today and asking you on the show.
I hope people get to see it.
I hope the story is possible.
I hope people are changed andreally enjoy watching those
amazing stories.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
Yes, so we see your name, demetrius Gross but is
that your Instagram handle aswell?
And your screen flipped to theside.
So, uh-oh, what happened?
I'm telling you until we getDemetrius back.
(28:36):
You all have to definitelywatch this film.
I'm compelled to go to thetheaters and pay my money and
watch this film because, like Isaid, I'm just a woman of a
particular age and I'm lookingfor nourishment for my soul.
I'm looking to haveconversations with my colleagues
and with my peers and with myfriends and with my associates
(28:56):
about high stakes opportunities,high stakes conversations.
And based upon the trailer,I've only watched the trailer
about 50, 11 times, mind you,because I was like I want more.
The trailer alone.
It spoke volumes to me.
It addressed a problem or anissue.
(29:16):
I wouldn't call it a problem.
It addressed an issue that Idon't think is landing too well,
because when we talk about thefoster care system, when we talk
about the foster care system,when we talk about adopting
black kids, it's always I don'tknow what that child is going to
bring into my home and I'm alittle bit fearful, and that's
(29:37):
warranted.
That's okay for you to feelthat way, but when it comes to
us, don't we deserve the risk.
Let me tell you something that Ilearned in doing this research.
Where's my notes?
I learned that in the UnitedStates of this, here America
Black children comprise 23% ofall children in foster care in
(30:01):
2019, and also 22% of allchildren waiting for adoption at
the end of 2019.
That data right there justconfirmed to me that there are
so many black children in fostercare.
Who deserves your attention.
So I want you to look at thedata of foster care children,
(30:23):
children being adopted.
Watch this film so that you canunderstand that this is a real
thing.
This is a real issue and itreally is going to take a
collective responsibility,collective action, for us to
address this.
So, demetrius, I'm glad thatyou're back.
Can you hear me?
You're a little pixelated now.
Oh, wow, okay, there you go.
(30:46):
So, before you, all of thishappens, I, you know your name
is Demetrius Gross, but what'syour Instagram handle, just in
case people want to follow you?
Speaker 2 (30:54):
It's exactly the same as at Demetrius Gross.
I don't have any cool, uh, likeyou know, street names, good,
(31:18):
good.
So what else can we expect fromyou, because you're an amazing
actor and before you joined us,I was just telling my audience
some of your acting credits.
But what is next for DemetriusGross?
I'm in Wonder man that's goingto be co-starring Yahya
Abdul-Mateen and Ben Kingsley,Ed Harris, bob Odenkirk, lauren
Razor, Josh Gad some of the castthat are involved in that
(31:41):
project.
It's directed by Daniel DestinCreighton and written by Andrew
Guest, and we are going to be onDisney Plus's or Marvel's
activation of Spotlight throughDisney Plus next year.
(32:02):
So I'll be playing EricWilliams.
Speaker 1 (32:05):
Aka, yeah, eric Williams wow, so you said Wonder
man, wonder man.
Right, I never knew.
Speaker 2 (32:13):
Wonder Woman.
Yes, apparently Wonder man isfrom like the 70s.
It was from the original IP andit was, I think, before Wonder
Woman.
But Wonder Woman, of course, iswhat we all know.
But there's a Wonder man thatMolly is very excited about,
we're all very excited about,we're all very excited about
brainy.
Speaker 1 (32:31):
I never knew.
Never knew that there was asuch thing as wonder man,
because as a kid you could nottell me that I was a wonder
woman, to know that there wassomething before.
That you know.
Just something for the men.
I'm here for it, so I'lldefinitely be tuned into your
page just to see when wonder manlaunches and all of the amazing
(32:53):
projects that you will continueto bless I'll keep your ears
peeled because I got some musiccoming up.
Speaker 2 (32:59):
I've been over the years, I've been rolling with
some musicians and I've beenmaking some, some records.
So, uh, I'll be having a singlecoming out soon called To the
Glory, and it's going to be good.
People who are hearing some ofthe early tracks are really
giving me positive feedback, soI'm excited to share that too.
Speaker 1 (33:20):
So the name of the song is called To the Glory.
Is that a gospel song?
Speaker 2 (33:27):
It's infused with spirituality consciousness.
It's infused with spiritualityConsciousness.
I don't know if I can call itgospel, but there is ministry in
the song.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
I love it and we need that too, because, like I said,
with the salaciousness in everysingle genre, I just want to
get back to Feel good music,music that's thought provoking,
music that I can now tell mydaughter and her friends.
I need you to tune into thisbecause it's something different
than what's being offered toyou.
So you know, continue blessings, demetrius, continue being
(34:03):
excellent, continue giving usgreat examples of what we can
become and what we shouldsurround ourselves with, and the
type of conversations that weshould be having.
Thank you so much for blessingSonia on air.
Once again, thank you forhaving me, sonia, you as well.
Speaker 2 (34:21):
Continue to be the vanguard in journalism that you
are.
Your podcast is amazing.
Continue, sister.
We see you and we appreciateyou.
Speaker 1 (34:29):
We appreciate your work.
Thank you, take care, I'll talkto you soon, bye, bye.
So there you have it.
Demetrius Gross, please gowatch this film, this movie,
because, like I said, there'sjust too much salaciousness
(34:50):
going out there.
You have no idea theconversations that I have on a
daily basis about thelow-hanging fruit that is
presented to us.
I want more, I want more.
I like crab lids, I like thingsthat have substance, things
(35:14):
that have substance, but what weare continuing to be fed, it's
not filling us up, it's notfilling us up at all.
So make sure that you head toamc theaters because, like
demetrius said, as long as wecontinue to flood the movie
theaters, that is how long thiswill stay in theaters before it
goes to streaming.
Yeah, you know, I want to seeit on streaming too, without
paying for the service.
(35:35):
But when there are projectsthat I firmly, firmly believe in
, and I know that anotherproject won't get made unless we
support, I'll invest, I'llspend my money, because you know
, at the end of the day, guesswhat trumps everything?
According to Hollywood,according to the music industry,
(35:56):
it's the money, it's the dinero, it's the dollar, dollar bill,
y'all.
So we have to make sure thatour presence is felt,
unfortunately, by the dollarsigns, the number of tickets
that we purchase.
So make sure you go to theatersto see the sound of hope, the
story of possum, trust and, likeI told demetrius, I'm so glad
(36:18):
that we're not talking about,you know, a pastor, a bishop, a
minister who is molestingchildren, raping children, just
doing inappropriate things.
I'm glad to see that a blackbishop a black bishop, true
story has asked 22 families inhis congregation in texas to
(36:43):
adopt 77 hard to place kids infoster care.
And guess what?
His mission was accomplished.
So there is nothing.
There is absolutely nothingthat we can't do when we band
together.
So make sure you followDemetrius and make sure you also
(37:06):
go check out his phone and yousee subscribe, subscribe,
subscribe.
And make sure that you go checkout this film and you see
subscribe, subscribe, subscribe.
And make sure that you staytuned in for another amazing
edition of Sonya on Air, where Iunpack celebrity pivotal
moments and milestones Smooches.
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